Bethel Pulpit - Primitive Baptist Sermons

Living in the Shadowlands

In this 9/15/19 message, Michael Gowens looks at Song of Solomon 2:8-17, focusing on the Shulamite's deep longing for the day of reunion with her departed King. Until that day - that is, until the dawn of everlasting and uninterrupted communion with her Beloved - she must abide in, as C. S. Lewis put it, "the Shadowlands." After sketching the developing plot in this poetical book, Gowens examines several ways in which the believer currently lives in the shadowlands. Then he gleans from the passage a number of very practical bits of wise counsel for those who must bide here as they wait for the dawn of that eternal day.

The Omnipresence of God

On 9/1/19, Michael Gowens brought message #7 in the ongoing study on the attributes of God, using Acts 17:24-27 as the basis of his sermon. He began by defining "omnipresence," then proceeded to discuss three further aspects of the theme--namely, the manifest, the gracious and the immediate presence of God. What comfort there is to be found in the affirmation, "Thou art near, O Lord" (Ps. 119:151a)!

God Only Wise

The 8/25/18 sermon by Elder Michael Gowens is #5 in our ongoing series on the character and attributes of God. Elder Gowens takes his text from Romans 16:27 and proceeds to look at Psalm 139:1-6 in this message on the omniscience of God. The fact that God knows all that there is to know and sees all that there is to see is both a sobering truth, and a truth of solace and comfort. 

God is a Spirit: The Nature of God

The 8/18/19 sermon by Elder Michael Gowens is #4 in the "Knowing God" series of studies. Brother Gowens looks at Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman on the subject of true worship, an episode recorded in John 4. In the course of this conversation, the Lord Jesus corrects her inclination to think of worship in purely physical and geographical terms. True worship, according to our Lord, is something spiritual and inward - prioritizing both the heart and the mind of the worshiper - not something material and outward, for the nature and essence of God is spiritual, not material.

One Baptism

Elder Doug Meeks was our visiting minister on Sunday, 8/11/19. His message is taken from Ephesians 4:5: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." Elder Meeks builds a case for valid, gospel baptism by emphasizing not only the importance of its mode, administrator and subject, but also its connection to the "one faith" Paul mentions in the text.

Loving the One, Personal God

This 8/4/19 sermon by Elder Mike Gowens, based on Deuteronomy 6:4-9, is number four in the "Knowing God" study. The shema, expressed in verse 4, is the bedrock of revealed religion. Though the truth that "God is one" appears rudimentary, it is, in fact, a profound affirmation. As Gowens explains, the shema and its contextual passage includes at least three important truths about God: 1) The Uniqueness, or exclusivity, of God; 2) The Unity, or simplicity, of God; and 3) The Personality, or relational nature, of God.

The Being of God: "I AM"

The 7/28/19 sermon by Elder Mike Gowens focuses on the narrative of Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush and the subsequent revelation of the ineffable name I AM, recorded in Exodus 3:1-14. This is message #3 in the "Knowing God" series. Gowens highlights three great truths from this passage concerning God: (1) The God of the Burning Bush is Self-existent, Self-sufficient, Self-dependent and Self-governing; (2) The God of the Burning Bush is eternal; (3) The God of the Burning Bush is a God of grace.

The Bible's Big-God Theology

The 7/21/19 sermon by Michael Gowens looks at Isaiah's vision of God in Isaiah 6:1-8, as Elder Gowens prepares us for this study on God's character and attributes. This message is the second in the series entitled "Knowing God," and begins by defining what it means to know God and how God's born-again people may know him better and more deeply. Then, Gowens proceeds to discuss the importance of affirming and maintaining the Big-God portrait that is revealed in God's word. In this age of God-shrinking--when man is headlined as the star of the show and God is relegated to a supporting role--the recovery of the Bible's Big-God theology is critical to health and vigor in the life of the church. 

Knowing God

In this 7/14/19 sermon, Mike Gowens begins a new topical series of messages on the character and attributes of God based on John 17:3: "This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." Popular religion is increasingly subjective and man-centered. In such an anemic theological climate, Pastor Gowens argues that only a God-centered message is consistent with the Biblical gospel. The most important thing about the believer is his/her knowledge of God. Few subjects will have a greater impact on our faith and conduct than an awareness of who God is.

Nehemiah: A Portrait of Godly Leadership

In the 7/7/19 sermon, Elder Michael Gowens offers an overview of the book of Nehemiah, and the emerging portrait of his leadership traits. This relatively obscure Jewish figure played an integral role at a time of great need in the post-exilic history of the nation of Israel. Among his many impressive characteristics, one stands out above the rest. Nehemiah was a man devoted to prayer and the glory of God. Christians today, regardless of the particular role in which they may function in a role of leadership, would do well to take their cue from this pious man.